Work Experience

NOAA / EPA / DNR - Central Michigan University - August 2014 to present

Graduate Student

 I have worked alongside three difference agencies during my graduate career in order to attain ecological data for my thesis. I have experience collecting plankton, processing it, and analyzing the data. Currently, I am more focused on fisheries management and analyzing data that has been collected over a ten-year period in order to understand habitat use and the variables that drive the migration patterns in smallmouth bass in northern Lake Michigan.


University of Notre Dame - Notre Dame, IN - May 2014 to August 2014

Field Research Technician - Great Lakes

Sampling for the Great Lakes Coastal Wetland Monitoring Project

  • This project is sampling Great Lakes coastal wetland biota, habitat, and water quality to provide information on coastal wetland condition using fish, birds, calling amphibians, wetland vegetation, aquatic macroinvertebrates, and water quality.

Quantifying Coastal Wetland – Nearshore Linkages in Lake Michigan for Sustaining Sport Fishes
  • The importance of coastal wetlands to the Lake Michigan food web will be determined by identifying fish-mediated linkages between wetland and nearshore habitats and determining the trophic relationships between 5 specific levels: phytoplankton, zooplankton, benthic invertebrates, forage fish, and piscivorous sport fishes. 


Grand Valley State University – Allendale, MI – December 2012 to April 2014

Student Researcher

  • Responsible for writing research and grant proposals
  • Conducting all of the required sampling
  • Specific conductivity, total dissolved solids, pH, temperature, dscharge, etc
  • Taxonomy identification of mussels and benthic invertebrates
  • Statistical analysis on the data collected
  • Writing of the manuscript that will be submitted in the American Midland Naturalist Journal in the near future for peer review.
  • Participated in the process of obtaining sampling permits with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources due to handling threatened and endangered species of bi-valves.

Sonic Drive In – Bakersfield, CA - June 2006 to November 2010

Shift Leader

  • Provided production direction to crew in a clear and concise way.
  • Set an example for crew by working hard to implement shift plan and ensure swift and smooth production.
  • Identified and resolved bottlenecks in food preparation to increase speed of service.
  • Demonstrated patience and a positive attitude with crew while delegating tasks and giving instructions.
  • Set challenging goals for self and crew during shift and ensure accountability.
  • Directed crew members to do what it takes to maintain restaurant and equipment cleanliness and sanitation standards.
  • Completed checklists and procedures for cash reporting, inventory control, and scheduling during shift.

Kohls – Bakersfield, CA – March 2007 to September 2008

Point of Sales Manager

  • Greeted customers, resolved customer issues and directed workflow to POS Associates.
  • Responsible for ensuring that credit standards are communicated and credit goals are achieved, and makes change and performs cash pick-ups from registers.
  • Regularly managed 3-7 cashiers at a time and was responsible for cash flow on the floor.
  • Filled and maintained on hand supplies of receipts, bags, application brochures, etc.
  • Opens and closes registers and records appropriate information on balance sheets to prevent cash losses.